There was a chance after being in the hospital last week that I wouldn't be able to attend the "family vacation" in Florida over the week of Thanksgiving. On Monday I called into Sanford in Sioux Falls to talk with my normal Doctor. I was freaking out that I wasn't going to be able to go to Florida, so I gave him a hollar to see what he said. Monday afternoon he called me back to inform me that he saw no reasons why I couldn't attend the family vacation, as long as I took it easy. This made my WEEK so much better!
Tuesday we officially hit 28 weeks! I can't believe how fast the past few weeks have gone and all the events that have been happening these past few days especially. Last week was quite an eventful week, but all is in the clear now! Tuesday was an eventful day at work for me as well. This whole past week I took it really easy at work, only doing simple tasks, only putting in partial days, getting the "necessities" done at work. On any normal given week I would have considered this a "slack" week. Tuesday I was helping one of the other guys that helps me out in maternity, we had just delivered a calf, and had to process the cow and calf. This consists of sleeving them to check for any internal tears and a second calf, giving the calf it's vaccines, putting ear tags on the calf, dipping the calves navel, making sure the calf is breathing, giving first time calvers (heifers) their transmitter collars and weighting the calf and heifer. The last thing we do, while the cow is still in the head chute is to put yellow bands around their back legs to indicate that the cow is a "fresh cow" when she enters the parlor. This way we know to collect the colostrum into a separate 4 gallon tank instead of collecting it with the rest of the cows milk. I went up to the cow and touched her back end to let her know I was there and was just getting ready to bend over to put the band on her leg, and she freakkkkkked and kicked me right in the forehead above my right eye. I got very lucky that another worker was back there at the time or I probably would have passed out and laid there. Kube (the mexican that was helping me) stood me up and walked me out of the pen and kept telling me to breathe and stay awake. I won't lie. I fought the urge to pass out. My glasses were broke in half, and I had a killer headache, so I went home for a while to sit and relax. After about 2 hours at home laying down, just chilling, I got back up and headed back into work! No glasses caused a few issues with trying to read some ear tags and what-not but Tuesday evening I fixed that issue by running to the vision center and getting some new frames for this face of mine!
Thursday we had another check-up with my regular doctor. He was still fine with the trip to Florida so I was pretty thrilled about that. He also thought that there was no concern as of now for any pre-term labor or anything like that. He believes that my pain last week was just from the bladder infection. I am now off of my antibiotics, which I took for a week, and am feeling 10x better than I was. At one point last week I was going to the bathroom about 30 times in a day and now I am back down to my typical 10 or so... I know 10 is still a lot, but when you drink 8 bottles of water a day, you tend to pee quite frequently. Everything checked out at the appointment Thursday. Heart beat was still strong and thumping, baby was moving all over the place, but is still breach. The doctor wasn't concerned about the cord around the neck yet. He said this won't be a concern for him until we get closer to term, and it all depends on how the baby is doing, etc.
Tomorrow morning bright and early I am heading off to Sioux Falls for my flight out to Orlando! I can't WAIT to land on that ground in Florida tomorrow morning and be "stress free" for a whole WEEK! I am getting really anxious for the flight, landing, being gone for a week... but I AM SO EXCITED!
So, the next time you will be reading my blog, I am pretty sure it will be after I get back from Florida. :) So, I'll catch ya later!
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Bed Rest and Frustrations....
I'm not going to lie, this is going to be a rambling post. You know, just one of those rants that just has to come out? ... a really random, often change of thought direction, rant.
Bed Rest has given me a lot of time to think. A lot of time to do mindless activities such as watch tv, movies, pinterest, facebook... I'm getting bored. My mind has been racing... about a lot of stuff. I need to stay busy... this whole bed rest crap sucks. I am a busy body, I am not a lay in bed all day and do nothing type of person.
Recently I have found my mind to be wandering. A lot. .... Dreaming, imagining, wondering...
What would my life be like if....
Would I be happy if...
Where would I be right now if...
So many ifs....
And then there are the 'why me's?' to add to those wandering thoughts of mine...
Life in general has been extremely hectic for me. I have always found a way to resolve my issues, but as of late my issues seem to be building up and my walls are about to come crashing down. Issues ranging from friendships to pregnancy scares. Silly disagreements with my husband to not being able to put my socks on in the morning. Maybe it's just the hormones going insane. Maybe some of my issues are legit to make me crack and crumble, I'll even admit that some of the issues that have been tearing me down are simple little things that should mean absolutely nothing, but I blow them up out of proportion.
I keep trying to look at the positives in my life, but the negatives keep engulfing those positives to make them look like an ant next to an African Elephant. This is where my life is becoming more hectic. I can sort my goods and my bad's anymore. They are all starting to flow together because so much has happened to me that I am getting confused as to what comforts me.
Do I find comfort in bad things happening in my life?... I don't know. I enjoy the comfort that people surround me with when bad events happen, but I don't enjoy the things that happen. I enjoy the encouragement, visitors, prayers... the 'comfort' that comes along with certain events. This is what is confusing me.
I spent 20 hours in the hospital Wednesday night and Thursday morning. I HATED the feeling of the unknown, not knowing what was going to happen with me and the baby. Not knowing if the baby was safe, healthy, coming sooner than expected... but yet I was comforted by my family, my friends, the community...
I hate having marital bouts with my husband, but I know that they happen in even some of the strongest marriages I have ever seen survive. I find comfort in knowing my husband is there to stick next to me through some of the stupidest arguments, and some of the hardest arguments. I have found myself to be starting arguments for the fun of it, just so we can "make up and get over it" and go back to being 'us'. Sometimes I just need to 'fight' to feel better. Another strange place I have been finding my 'comfort' lately. Even if an issue isn't something between Brad and I, I bring it between us just to get that 'get it out of my system' feeling. I give my husband props and I respect him a ton for standing by my side through some of these things that I keep bringing between us.
So I guess the whole point to this post is.... where does my comfort come from these days? I still don't have an answer, even after ranting and getting all these words out. All I know is that I am more than looking forward to this baby coming. I find comfort in knowing that soon I will have a child of my own in my arms after 12 1/2 months (as of now) of pregnancy hormones, emotions, stress, and events. Even though I am looking forward to her, I DO NOT want her to come out of this enlarged belly of mine in the next 10 weeks. She needs to BAKE! Lets aim for at least 15 months of pregnancy hormones, emotions, stress, and events until this little lady comes to meet us!
Bed Rest has given me a lot of time to think. A lot of time to do mindless activities such as watch tv, movies, pinterest, facebook... I'm getting bored. My mind has been racing... about a lot of stuff. I need to stay busy... this whole bed rest crap sucks. I am a busy body, I am not a lay in bed all day and do nothing type of person.
Recently I have found my mind to be wandering. A lot. .... Dreaming, imagining, wondering...
What would my life be like if....
Would I be happy if...
Where would I be right now if...
So many ifs....
And then there are the 'why me's?' to add to those wandering thoughts of mine...
Life in general has been extremely hectic for me. I have always found a way to resolve my issues, but as of late my issues seem to be building up and my walls are about to come crashing down. Issues ranging from friendships to pregnancy scares. Silly disagreements with my husband to not being able to put my socks on in the morning. Maybe it's just the hormones going insane. Maybe some of my issues are legit to make me crack and crumble, I'll even admit that some of the issues that have been tearing me down are simple little things that should mean absolutely nothing, but I blow them up out of proportion.
I keep trying to look at the positives in my life, but the negatives keep engulfing those positives to make them look like an ant next to an African Elephant. This is where my life is becoming more hectic. I can sort my goods and my bad's anymore. They are all starting to flow together because so much has happened to me that I am getting confused as to what comforts me.
Do I find comfort in bad things happening in my life?... I don't know. I enjoy the comfort that people surround me with when bad events happen, but I don't enjoy the things that happen. I enjoy the encouragement, visitors, prayers... the 'comfort' that comes along with certain events. This is what is confusing me.
I spent 20 hours in the hospital Wednesday night and Thursday morning. I HATED the feeling of the unknown, not knowing what was going to happen with me and the baby. Not knowing if the baby was safe, healthy, coming sooner than expected... but yet I was comforted by my family, my friends, the community...
I hate having marital bouts with my husband, but I know that they happen in even some of the strongest marriages I have ever seen survive. I find comfort in knowing my husband is there to stick next to me through some of the stupidest arguments, and some of the hardest arguments. I have found myself to be starting arguments for the fun of it, just so we can "make up and get over it" and go back to being 'us'. Sometimes I just need to 'fight' to feel better. Another strange place I have been finding my 'comfort' lately. Even if an issue isn't something between Brad and I, I bring it between us just to get that 'get it out of my system' feeling. I give my husband props and I respect him a ton for standing by my side through some of these things that I keep bringing between us.
So I guess the whole point to this post is.... where does my comfort come from these days? I still don't have an answer, even after ranting and getting all these words out. All I know is that I am more than looking forward to this baby coming. I find comfort in knowing that soon I will have a child of my own in my arms after 12 1/2 months (as of now) of pregnancy hormones, emotions, stress, and events. Even though I am looking forward to her, I DO NOT want her to come out of this enlarged belly of mine in the next 10 weeks. She needs to BAKE! Lets aim for at least 15 months of pregnancy hormones, emotions, stress, and events until this little lady comes to meet us!
Friday, November 15, 2013
2 Words. Bed. Rest.
Yesterday, 2:30 PM I was discharged from the OC hospital and headed home. They took another urine test at noon yesterday, and the results showed that my white blood cell count had actually increased since the night before. They put me on Cephalexin for a simple Urinary Track Infection (UTI). I'm on an antibiotic for 1 week, and they will take another sample next week Thursday to check my urine levels. I have to go see the specialist that I usually see again next week Thursday for a one week check up.
I am still hoping there is a slight chance that my normal Dr. will still allow me to go to Florida. I know its a long shot after the adventure of the last 2 days, but I'm still hoping. Right now, a week away from work and home and any stress are the best thing that could benefit me. We are hoping that the events of the past couple of days were mainly due to the UTI and not any side-effects of any pre-term labor. Yes, my Fibrinigen test did come back positive, they don't know WHY yet, but as long as I was in the hospital I had NO contractions, the baby was under NO stress, the amniotic fluid showed up to be normal on the ultrasound, and my cervix is still closed and the proper length for the stage of gestation that I am currently at. This was a huge relief for me, knowing that my body is actually doing what its supposed to do at 27 weeks, and not preparing for delivery yet. I was told 4 days off work and "on bed rest". I was given the clear to return to work on Monday, but under very light duty until my Dr. appointment with the specialist on Thursday. The specialist can then determine what the final say is in the next 12 1/2 weeks (ish) of this pregnancy. I'm really hoping I have the clear to work, as we are not financially ready for me to be off work for the rest of this pregnancy, PLUS maternity leave... but right now I am leaving this all in Gods hands. All I want right now is a healthy, strong, crying baby. I will do anything, even though it may be pure torture, to ensure that this baby is safe and secure.
Being admitted to the hospital Wednesday night was the scariest thing that has happened so far this pregnancy. Everything came running back from what we experienced with Paige, the only thing that uplifted a majority of my worry was that monitor picking up a STRONG, HEALTHY heart beat ranging from 130-160 beats per minute from the little miss.
So.. onto bed rest...
Day 1:
This is going to be a long weekend...
As much as I normally LOVE weekends off work, at home, doing whatever I want to do.... this weekend is going to be a lot different. This whole "bed rest" thing... sucks. We are 9 hours into Day 1 of 3, and I am already bored. Friday. What can I do that is considered "bed rest" appropriate all day, for 3 days straight?? ... There is only so much TV, computer time, scrap-booking, reading, watching movies, etc. that I can do before I am bored. Heck.. I've been awake since 6ish, and I'm already bored! I really just want to go baby shopping, because now I REALLY have baby-fever. I just want this little girl safe, and I want her to get here safely. I know I have a number of weeks to go yet, but I get more and more excited as it gets closer, and knowing that there is a possibility of her coming early, makes me want here here safely even more! So... anyone have any bed-rest activities for me to do?? ... any good books to read? :)
I'll keep you all updated, I know I have been horrible at blogging with this pregnancy, but I've been pretty stressed out with this pregnancy, working, Brad having knee surgery, etc. It's been a long past 7 weeks, but I will do my best to keep everyone in the loop from here on out!
Laters!
I am still hoping there is a slight chance that my normal Dr. will still allow me to go to Florida. I know its a long shot after the adventure of the last 2 days, but I'm still hoping. Right now, a week away from work and home and any stress are the best thing that could benefit me. We are hoping that the events of the past couple of days were mainly due to the UTI and not any side-effects of any pre-term labor. Yes, my Fibrinigen test did come back positive, they don't know WHY yet, but as long as I was in the hospital I had NO contractions, the baby was under NO stress, the amniotic fluid showed up to be normal on the ultrasound, and my cervix is still closed and the proper length for the stage of gestation that I am currently at. This was a huge relief for me, knowing that my body is actually doing what its supposed to do at 27 weeks, and not preparing for delivery yet. I was told 4 days off work and "on bed rest". I was given the clear to return to work on Monday, but under very light duty until my Dr. appointment with the specialist on Thursday. The specialist can then determine what the final say is in the next 12 1/2 weeks (ish) of this pregnancy. I'm really hoping I have the clear to work, as we are not financially ready for me to be off work for the rest of this pregnancy, PLUS maternity leave... but right now I am leaving this all in Gods hands. All I want right now is a healthy, strong, crying baby. I will do anything, even though it may be pure torture, to ensure that this baby is safe and secure.
Being admitted to the hospital Wednesday night was the scariest thing that has happened so far this pregnancy. Everything came running back from what we experienced with Paige, the only thing that uplifted a majority of my worry was that monitor picking up a STRONG, HEALTHY heart beat ranging from 130-160 beats per minute from the little miss.
So.. onto bed rest...
Day 1:
This is going to be a long weekend...
As much as I normally LOVE weekends off work, at home, doing whatever I want to do.... this weekend is going to be a lot different. This whole "bed rest" thing... sucks. We are 9 hours into Day 1 of 3, and I am already bored. Friday. What can I do that is considered "bed rest" appropriate all day, for 3 days straight?? ... There is only so much TV, computer time, scrap-booking, reading, watching movies, etc. that I can do before I am bored. Heck.. I've been awake since 6ish, and I'm already bored! I really just want to go baby shopping, because now I REALLY have baby-fever. I just want this little girl safe, and I want her to get here safely. I know I have a number of weeks to go yet, but I get more and more excited as it gets closer, and knowing that there is a possibility of her coming early, makes me want here here safely even more! So... anyone have any bed-rest activities for me to do?? ... any good books to read? :)
I'll keep you all updated, I know I have been horrible at blogging with this pregnancy, but I've been pretty stressed out with this pregnancy, working, Brad having knee surgery, etc. It's been a long past 7 weeks, but I will do my best to keep everyone in the loop from here on out!
Laters!
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Update
The ultrasound results showed no concerns of low fluid levels around baby and my cervix has not started shortening. Their one concern was that baby is breech, and the chord is wrapped around the neck twice. They didn't act like it was a big deal, but to Brad and I are both fairly concerned.
We are waiting for one more test result, and after that we are HEADING HOME!! They are waiting on a urine sample to come back, and if it is negative for a UTI, then I'm in the clear. If it still shows signs and symptoms of a UTI I will be put on an antibiotic, and sent home. I have a 4 day bedrest rule to follow, and can return to work on Monday on super light duty, and preferably part time. I have a follow up appointment with my regular doctor in Sioux Falls next Thursday and we will know more after that. I am to monitor myself very closely, and watch my activity levels at this point, anything can potentially send me into pre-term labor.
It's looking like Florida is most likely out of my future... And I will be spending the holiday closer to home. As of now, everything is up in the air until the Dr. talks with us on Thursday.
So for now, were just sitting and waiting. Thanks for all the prayers, concerns, and uplifting words of encouragement!
Brad and Roz
27 Weeks 2 Days... Current Events
Tuesday evening I started feeling as if I was catching the flu bug. I had a little bit of cramping in my upper stomach, and was assuming that it was the flu since it has been going around.
Wednesday morning I wasn't feeling the greatest, but went to work anyways. I know. I know. I have been told 100 times to take it easy... I did take it easy. I didn't do anything I shouldn't at work. I didn't over step my boundaries... I just didn't feel right... At 7:30 I went back home and took a 3 hour nap. I felt a lot better and, of course, went back to work at 12:30 for a few hours. I was feeling some pressure, but I thought that was just some of the braxton-hicks contractions that I have been told so much about and informed to keep track of. I got off work around 3:30 and started having those bad cramps again. After taking a fairly large bowel movement, I didn't feel any better. I called my normal physician in Sioux Falls, and his nurse advised me to go in for a stress test just to make sure everything was alright.
4:45 last night Brad and I walked into the ER in the Orange City Hospital. We started a stress test monitor around 5:30, and everything was showing no signs of stress on the baby, and there was no signs of the "braxton-hicks" contractions present on the monitor. This confused the Dr. that was on call a lot, so they decided to take more tests. At this point they were considering running me to Sioux Falls by ambulance just to be safe in case I was going to deliver. The Dr. here in OC called the perinatologist in SF, and they recommended keeping me over night for monitoring since I wasn't contracting and the baby was looking fine.
They took a urine sample, which showed a high level of white blood cells. This led the Dr. to believe I had a UTI. He made it sound really simple... We were going to start some antibiotics, they would monitor me for a few hours, and I would be on my way.... BUT... then they decide to do a swab test. This was when my Fibernectin protein showed up to be positive.
Fetal Fibernectin Test:
Wednesday morning I wasn't feeling the greatest, but went to work anyways. I know. I know. I have been told 100 times to take it easy... I did take it easy. I didn't do anything I shouldn't at work. I didn't over step my boundaries... I just didn't feel right... At 7:30 I went back home and took a 3 hour nap. I felt a lot better and, of course, went back to work at 12:30 for a few hours. I was feeling some pressure, but I thought that was just some of the braxton-hicks contractions that I have been told so much about and informed to keep track of. I got off work around 3:30 and started having those bad cramps again. After taking a fairly large bowel movement, I didn't feel any better. I called my normal physician in Sioux Falls, and his nurse advised me to go in for a stress test just to make sure everything was alright.
4:45 last night Brad and I walked into the ER in the Orange City Hospital. We started a stress test monitor around 5:30, and everything was showing no signs of stress on the baby, and there was no signs of the "braxton-hicks" contractions present on the monitor. This confused the Dr. that was on call a lot, so they decided to take more tests. At this point they were considering running me to Sioux Falls by ambulance just to be safe in case I was going to deliver. The Dr. here in OC called the perinatologist in SF, and they recommended keeping me over night for monitoring since I wasn't contracting and the baby was looking fine.
They took a urine sample, which showed a high level of white blood cells. This led the Dr. to believe I had a UTI. He made it sound really simple... We were going to start some antibiotics, they would monitor me for a few hours, and I would be on my way.... BUT... then they decide to do a swab test. This was when my Fibernectin protein showed up to be positive.
Fetal Fibernectin Test:
Fetal fibronectin is a protein that acts as a "glue" during pregnancy, attaching the amniotic sac — the fluid-filled membrane that cushions your baby in the uterus — to the lining of the uterus. Fetal fibronectin is often present in vaginal discharge before week 22 of pregnancy. Fetal fibronectin also begins to break down and can be detected in vaginal discharge toward the end of pregnancy. If your health care provider is concerned about preterm labor, he or she might test a swab of secretions near your cervix for the presence of fetal fibronectin between week 22 and week 34 of pregnancy. A positive fetal fibronectin test is a clue that the "glue" has been disturbed and you're at increased risk of preterm labor.
They gave me a steroid called "Betamethazone". I received one last night at 9pm and will receive another one yet this evening before I go home. This is supposed to help the baby's lungs develop quicker, and help the baby be able to breathe easier after birth as a pre-mature baby.
Betamethasone causes an immature fetus's lungs to produce a compound called surfactant. A full-term baby's lungs naturally produce surfactant, which lubricates the lining of the air sacs within the lungs. This allows the inner surfaces of the air sacs to slide against one another without sticking during breathing. Premature infants whose lungs have begun producing surfactant are more able to breathe on their own, or with less respiratory treatment, after birth.
9:00 last night the Dr. came in to check my cervix, which was still "closed" which is a good sign. That means my body is telling them that it is not ready to deliver yet... key word... yet. He was supposed to come back at midnight last night, but never showed up, and I haven't heard a word from him since. For the time being, I am sitting at the OC hospital. We are having an ultrasound done here in a few minutes to measure the length of my cervix and the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby to make sure everything is still alright. The Dr. will be here to review the ultrasound around 11:30. I am currently on an IV drip just to keep fluids inside of me. Really don't have any other news as of now. Will know more after I actually see the doctor today.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
20 Weeks and Half Way There!
I know I have been horrible at posting blogs this pregnancy, but I also have a full time job now besides sitting at a desk in a research lab.. or sitting in class 6 hours a day. ;)
My job has me running, which is keeping me busy... and tired. It's hard being pregnant AND working a physically demanding job! Although, on the plus side, my hours have been reduced from the typical 60+ hours a week I was putting in to somewhere between 40-50 hours a week now. It's nice being able to sleep in till 6:00 AM and getting off work at 3:00 PM. It gives me a lot more time to get other stuff done, and not be so exhausted all the time.
20 weeks have come and gone very slowly, but rapidly at the same time. It's hard for me to believe that we are already half way through this pregnancy, but at the same time, I can't believe I still have 20 weeks left. I know I don't want this baby to come any earlier than planned, because that always raises the chances of there being difficulties, but at the same time I can't WAIT to hold this precious bundle in my arms. Many people keep telling me that there is no rush, and I do agree, because I know FULL well the requirements and stresses of pre-term delivery, but at the same time I find myself having less patience with this pregnancy and having a huge desire to just hold a baby of my own in my arms.
The baby has been identified to be another little girl. Brad and I found out at our 18 week appointment, and we are both pretty excited about it. We also took the hour and fifteen minute drive home to pick out a name for the little squirt, and I am in love with it, might I add. Brad wasn't too excited to pick out girl names, because he was really excited about the boy name we had already picked out, but oh well. He agreed on the name that I LOVE and so we will be planning on that.... unless plans change.
A couple of weeks ago I started losing a lot of my non-pregnant mobility that I used to have. I now have a well defined baby bump sticking out my front end, and it is starting to get exciting and annoying as I am not able to fluently do certain things such as tie my shoes and put on socks, but I will live. I'm pretty sure I will be dreading being 8-9 months pregnant in the dead of winter... there's no such thing as "slip on snow boots"....
The kicks and nudges are starting to get more and more defined as the little one starts to get bigger and bigger. There are frequent times at work where I am as far away from the bathroom as possible and the little tiger decides it's time to use my bladder as a punching bag (her favorite activity as of late). I honestly missed those kicks and nudges, as that was one of the only connections that Paige and I ever got to experience. I am so hoping that this little one will be able to fulfill so many more experiences in motherhood for me.
As we get closer and closer to the 28 week mark, my nerves start to queaze. It makes me nervous to think that the same thing as what happened with Paige is a possibility with this little one. At my 30 week mark I had made plans to fly to Florida, and bought airplane tickets, and had everything to go for a week long vacation with the family... Just recently it was brought up to my attention that I may not even be able to fly there due to my previous pregnancy experience at 28 weeks. I am hoping and praying that the dr. will clear me to fly that week so that I can take that vacation. What other way to relieve pregnancy stress than a week on the beach (in a full body suit to hide all those stretch marks) in Florida over Thanksgiving week??
Our next Dr. appointment is on October 9th, and they will decide then weather I will be visiting every other week or stay at every 4 weeks until 30 weeks. It all depends on how the baby grows and develops over the next couple of weeks. Everything looked very good at our last Dr. appointment and the baby had grown and caught up with the "average" at 18 weeks. We did an echo cardiogram on her heart, and the Dr. said everything looked great and all of her organs checked out. He believes that he double vessel chord will not be too much of a concern from here on out, but that I still have to maintain a regular daily schedule and I can't introduce new, physical activities into my schedule as that may cause stress to my body and the babies.
I can't wait for another visit as we get to see the little one every time on ultrasound. It's exciting to be able to see the development and see that heart beating. We only ever got 2 ultrasounds of Paige, but baby #2 has been photographed 5 times already, and will be for every visit!
So, thats the update for now, I'm sure I'll update again in a few weeks when I get a spare minute or two! hope all is well!!
My job has me running, which is keeping me busy... and tired. It's hard being pregnant AND working a physically demanding job! Although, on the plus side, my hours have been reduced from the typical 60+ hours a week I was putting in to somewhere between 40-50 hours a week now. It's nice being able to sleep in till 6:00 AM and getting off work at 3:00 PM. It gives me a lot more time to get other stuff done, and not be so exhausted all the time.
20 weeks have come and gone very slowly, but rapidly at the same time. It's hard for me to believe that we are already half way through this pregnancy, but at the same time, I can't believe I still have 20 weeks left. I know I don't want this baby to come any earlier than planned, because that always raises the chances of there being difficulties, but at the same time I can't WAIT to hold this precious bundle in my arms. Many people keep telling me that there is no rush, and I do agree, because I know FULL well the requirements and stresses of pre-term delivery, but at the same time I find myself having less patience with this pregnancy and having a huge desire to just hold a baby of my own in my arms.
The baby has been identified to be another little girl. Brad and I found out at our 18 week appointment, and we are both pretty excited about it. We also took the hour and fifteen minute drive home to pick out a name for the little squirt, and I am in love with it, might I add. Brad wasn't too excited to pick out girl names, because he was really excited about the boy name we had already picked out, but oh well. He agreed on the name that I LOVE and so we will be planning on that.... unless plans change.
A couple of weeks ago I started losing a lot of my non-pregnant mobility that I used to have. I now have a well defined baby bump sticking out my front end, and it is starting to get exciting and annoying as I am not able to fluently do certain things such as tie my shoes and put on socks, but I will live. I'm pretty sure I will be dreading being 8-9 months pregnant in the dead of winter... there's no such thing as "slip on snow boots"....
The kicks and nudges are starting to get more and more defined as the little one starts to get bigger and bigger. There are frequent times at work where I am as far away from the bathroom as possible and the little tiger decides it's time to use my bladder as a punching bag (her favorite activity as of late). I honestly missed those kicks and nudges, as that was one of the only connections that Paige and I ever got to experience. I am so hoping that this little one will be able to fulfill so many more experiences in motherhood for me.
As we get closer and closer to the 28 week mark, my nerves start to queaze. It makes me nervous to think that the same thing as what happened with Paige is a possibility with this little one. At my 30 week mark I had made plans to fly to Florida, and bought airplane tickets, and had everything to go for a week long vacation with the family... Just recently it was brought up to my attention that I may not even be able to fly there due to my previous pregnancy experience at 28 weeks. I am hoping and praying that the dr. will clear me to fly that week so that I can take that vacation. What other way to relieve pregnancy stress than a week on the beach (in a full body suit to hide all those stretch marks) in Florida over Thanksgiving week??
Our next Dr. appointment is on October 9th, and they will decide then weather I will be visiting every other week or stay at every 4 weeks until 30 weeks. It all depends on how the baby grows and develops over the next couple of weeks. Everything looked very good at our last Dr. appointment and the baby had grown and caught up with the "average" at 18 weeks. We did an echo cardiogram on her heart, and the Dr. said everything looked great and all of her organs checked out. He believes that he double vessel chord will not be too much of a concern from here on out, but that I still have to maintain a regular daily schedule and I can't introduce new, physical activities into my schedule as that may cause stress to my body and the babies.
I can't wait for another visit as we get to see the little one every time on ultrasound. It's exciting to be able to see the development and see that heart beating. We only ever got 2 ultrasounds of Paige, but baby #2 has been photographed 5 times already, and will be for every visit!
So, thats the update for now, I'm sure I'll update again in a few weeks when I get a spare minute or two! hope all is well!!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
17 Weeks.
I know that time keeps getting away from me. I was a lot better at posting blogs when I was pregnant with Paige. It was like an obsession when I was pregnant wit her. Now, it has turned into something that is just an extra thing to do. I am staying a lot busier these days with work compared to when I was at ISU working and going to school. My job consists of a lot more physical work these days than it did a year ago, and I am definitely feeling the difference.
These past 17 weeks have flown by, yet moved so slowly. I know I've said this before, but this pregnancy is just so much different than my pregnancy with Paige. I was so up-beat and excited about Paige. This time, it seems like more of a chore because I am so tired all the time and because this pregnancy hasn't been nearly as easy; physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually, as my pregnancy with Paige. 17 weeks seems like its taken forever, but at the same time, I can't believe that a week from now, we will be able to say "he" or "she" once again. I am SO excited to see our little one up on the big screen again, to see all those tiny little body parts and be able to connect visually with the little one.
The last Dr's appointment brought both good and bad news, yet again. We found out that the umbilical cyst that the specialist saw in our 7 week ultrasound in fact, had gone away. The chances of that cyst being a physical issue was 20%. We both felt pretty good that these odds were for us and that everything was going to turn out ok, and it did! But at our 15 week ultrasound, which was a "pre-anatomy" scan for the specialist, just to make sure that everything was looking good and that the baby was developing properly. This was when the bad news of the day came into play. The specialist found yet another issue with the umbilical cord. The Dr. explained the issue to us, and it turns out its not a real severe issue, but it is a major concern to me. The umbilical cord with baby #2 is in fact a double vessel cord, which means that there are only two blood vessels instead of the normal three in an umbilical chord. This is a concern because with only one artery and one vein, the baby can be effected with stunted growth and/or severe organ dysfunction. The organs that are mostly affected are the heart, kidneys, and liver. The numbers say that 70% of all babies with a double vessel cord live 100% normal lives. But that 30% is my main concern. I know its a smaller number, but I can't help but imagine that one in three babies are born with defects because of this double vessel cord. It scares the crap out of me.
We will learn more about the baby's anatomy next Wednesday, but part of me is freaking out. I'm just getting sick of being beat over and over again with freaky stuff, especially after our experience with Paige and having previous issues with the umbilical cord with her. This double vessel thing is scaring the crap out of me, and I's adding more stress to this pregnancy than what already is there due to our loss of Paige.
On the bright side... I started to feel the baby move this past week, and now I am regularly feeling kicks and nudges. Brad hasn't yet been able to feel the kicks, but they are getting stronger, so I know it's not too much longer now before he will be able to experience it! He was pretty jealous when I was laying in bed the other night and started feeling the movements. I know he is getting really anxious to feel the movements, and I am getting anxious for him to have that connection with the baby too.
I am starting to get nervous as we start to near our time for the baby to come. I am starting to prepare myself for another disaster I feel like. I don't want to say it's a natural reaction, but i feel like it is another reaction to our experience with Paige. I just ask, once again, for prayers and uplifting words of encouragement as we get closer to the end and farther through this pregnancy. As we near or 28 week mark I know I will be a nervous wreck, but I also know that prayer is a very strong action, and God hears prayer and answers it too. Thanks for everyone for reading my blogs and keeping up with us through this journey. It means a lot to us to know that we have friends there to support us and to help us through this rough journey.
These past 17 weeks have flown by, yet moved so slowly. I know I've said this before, but this pregnancy is just so much different than my pregnancy with Paige. I was so up-beat and excited about Paige. This time, it seems like more of a chore because I am so tired all the time and because this pregnancy hasn't been nearly as easy; physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually, as my pregnancy with Paige. 17 weeks seems like its taken forever, but at the same time, I can't believe that a week from now, we will be able to say "he" or "she" once again. I am SO excited to see our little one up on the big screen again, to see all those tiny little body parts and be able to connect visually with the little one.
The last Dr's appointment brought both good and bad news, yet again. We found out that the umbilical cyst that the specialist saw in our 7 week ultrasound in fact, had gone away. The chances of that cyst being a physical issue was 20%. We both felt pretty good that these odds were for us and that everything was going to turn out ok, and it did! But at our 15 week ultrasound, which was a "pre-anatomy" scan for the specialist, just to make sure that everything was looking good and that the baby was developing properly. This was when the bad news of the day came into play. The specialist found yet another issue with the umbilical cord. The Dr. explained the issue to us, and it turns out its not a real severe issue, but it is a major concern to me. The umbilical cord with baby #2 is in fact a double vessel cord, which means that there are only two blood vessels instead of the normal three in an umbilical chord. This is a concern because with only one artery and one vein, the baby can be effected with stunted growth and/or severe organ dysfunction. The organs that are mostly affected are the heart, kidneys, and liver. The numbers say that 70% of all babies with a double vessel cord live 100% normal lives. But that 30% is my main concern. I know its a smaller number, but I can't help but imagine that one in three babies are born with defects because of this double vessel cord. It scares the crap out of me.
We will learn more about the baby's anatomy next Wednesday, but part of me is freaking out. I'm just getting sick of being beat over and over again with freaky stuff, especially after our experience with Paige and having previous issues with the umbilical cord with her. This double vessel thing is scaring the crap out of me, and I's adding more stress to this pregnancy than what already is there due to our loss of Paige.
On the bright side... I started to feel the baby move this past week, and now I am regularly feeling kicks and nudges. Brad hasn't yet been able to feel the kicks, but they are getting stronger, so I know it's not too much longer now before he will be able to experience it! He was pretty jealous when I was laying in bed the other night and started feeling the movements. I know he is getting really anxious to feel the movements, and I am getting anxious for him to have that connection with the baby too.
I am starting to get nervous as we start to near our time for the baby to come. I am starting to prepare myself for another disaster I feel like. I don't want to say it's a natural reaction, but i feel like it is another reaction to our experience with Paige. I just ask, once again, for prayers and uplifting words of encouragement as we get closer to the end and farther through this pregnancy. As we near or 28 week mark I know I will be a nervous wreck, but I also know that prayer is a very strong action, and God hears prayer and answers it too. Thanks for everyone for reading my blogs and keeping up with us through this journey. It means a lot to us to know that we have friends there to support us and to help us through this rough journey.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)